Sautéed Lemon Garlic Scallops with Asparagus
Tender sea scallops seared to golden perfection with a bright lemon-garlic finish, paired with crisp-tender asparagus spears. This seafood-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs Scallops, Asparagus, Lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Scallops
- 12 oz Asparagus
- 1 Lemon
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz sea scallops dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add scallops in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes until just opaque. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz trimmed asparagus to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Return scallops to skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and zest and juice of 1 lemon, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and scallops are heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Lemon Garlic Scallops with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Lemon Garlic Scallops with Asparagus?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep scallops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Lemon Garlic Scallops with Asparagus?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Lemon Garlic Scallops with Asparagus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sautéed Lemon Garlic Scallops with Asparagus?
Seafood seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
